"There is now living in this town a gentleman who was an officer in the Massachusetts line, and who was particularly conversant in all the circumstances of that transaction. It was this gentleman who, in company with Captain Hughes, composed the special guard of André's person, was with him during the last twenty-four hours of his life, and supported him to the place of execution. From him we have received the following particulars: it is needless to say we give them our implicit belief, since to those who are acquainted with the person to whom we allude, no other testimony is ever necessary than his simple declaration.

To this gentleman André himself related that he was passing down a hill, at the foot of which, under a tree, playing cards, were the three men who took him. They were close by the roadside, and he had approached very near them before either party discovered the other; upon seeing him they instantly rose and seized their rifles. They approached him and demanded who he was; he immediately answered that he was a British officer, supposing, from their being so near the British lines, that they belonged to that party. They then seized him, robbed him of the few guineas which he had with him, and the two watches which he then wore, one of gold and the other of silver. He offered to reward them if they would take him to New York; they hesitated, and in his (André's) opinion, the reason why they did not do so, was the impossibility on his part to secure to them the performance of the promise.

"He informs also that it was an opinion too prevalent to admit of any doubt, that these men were of that description of persons called 'cow boys,' or those who, without being considered as belonging to either party, made it a business to pillage from both. He has frequently heard this opinion expressed at that time by several officers who were personally acquainted with all these men, and who could not have been mistaken in their general characters.

"André frequently spoke of the kindness of the American officers, and particularly of the attention of Major Tallmadge; and on the way to the place of execution sent for that officer to come near him, that he might learn the manner in which he was to die." Statement of Van Wart (from the National Intelligencer of Feb. 25, 1817):

"Isaac Van Wart, of the town of Mount Pleasant, in the county of Westchester, being duly sworn, doth depose and say, that he is one of the three persons who arrested Major André during the American revolutionary war, and conducted him to the American camp. That he, this deponent, together with David Williams and John Paulding, had secreted themselves at the side of the highway, for the purpose of detecting any person coming from, or having unlawful intercourse with, the enemy, being between the two armies; a service not uncommon in those times. That this deponent and his companions were armed with muskets, and upon seeing Major André approach the place where they were concealed, they rose and presented their muskets at him, and required him to stop, which he did. He then asked them whether they belonged to his party, and then they asked him which was his party? to which he replied the lower party. Upon which they, deeming a little

stratagem under such circumstances not only justifiable but necessary, gave him to understand that they were of his party, upon which he joyfully declared himself to be a British officer, and told them that he had been out upon very particular business. Having ascertained thus much, this deponent and his companions undeceived him as to their characters, declaring themselves to be Americans, and that he must consider himself their prisoner. Upon this, with seeming unconcern, he said he had a pass from General Arnold, which he exhibited, and then insisted on their permitting him to proceed. But they told him that, as he had confessed himself to be a British officer, they deemed it to be their duty to convey him to the American camp; and then took him into a wood, a short distance from the highway, in order to guard against being surprised by parties of the enemy, who were frequently reconnoitering in that neighborhood. That when they had him in the wood they proceeded to search him, for the purpose of ascertaining who and what he was, and found inside of his stockings and boots, next to his bare feet, papers which satisfied them he was a spy. Major André now showed them his gold watch, and remarked that it was evidence of his being a gentleman, and also promised to make them any reward they might name, if they would but permit him to proceed, which they refused. He then told them that if they doubted the fulfilment of his promise, they might conceal him in some secret place, and keep him there until they could send to New York and receive their reward. And this deponent expressly declares, that every offer made by Major André to them was promptly and resolutely refused. And, for himself, he solemnly declares that he had not, and he does most sincerely believe that Paulding and Williams had not, any intention of plundering their prisoner; nor did they confer with each other, or even hesitate whether they should accept his promise, but, on the contrary, they were, in the opinion of this deponent, governed, like himself, by a deep interest in the cause of the country, and a strong sense of duty. And this deponent further says that he never visited the British camp, nor does he believe or suspect that either Paulding or Williams ever did, except that Paulding was, once before André's capture, and once afterwards, made a prisoner by the British, as this deponent has been informed and believes. And this deponent, for himself, expressly denies that he ever held any unlawful traffic or any intercourse whatever with the enemy. And, appealing solemnly to that omniscient Being, at whose tribunal he must soon appear, he doth expressly declare that all accusations, charging him therewith, are utterly untrue. ISAAC VAN WART. "Sworn this 28th day of January, 1817,

before Jacob Radcliff,

"We the subscribers, inhabitants of the county of Westchester, do certify that during the revolutionary war we were well acquainted with Isaac Van Wart, David Williams, and John Paulding, who arrested Major André; and that at no time during the revolutionary war was any suspicion ever entertained by their neighbours or acquaintances, that they, or either of them, held any undue intercourse with the enemy. On the contrary, they were universally esteemed, and taken to be ardent and faithful in the cause of the

country. We further certify that the said Paulding and Williams are not now resident among us, but that Isaac Van Wart is a respectable freeholder of the town of Mount Pleasant, that we are all well acquainted with him, and we do not hesitate to declare our belief that there is not an individual in the county of Westchester, acquainted with Isaac Van Wart, who would hesitate to describe him as a man of a sober, moral, industrious, and religious life, as a man whose integrity is as unimpeachable as his veracity is undoubted. In these respects no man in the county of Westchester is his superior.

The following works furnish much that is interesting concerning Major André:

An Authentic Narrative of the Causes which led to the Death of Major André, by Joshua Hett Smith, London, 1808. Printed for Matthews and Leigh, 18 Strand.

The Plot of Arnold and Sir Henry Clinton against the United States, and against General Washington, Paris, 1816.

Printed by Didot the Elder.

Niles' Weekly Register for 1817, vol. ii. p. 386. Printed at Baltimore. ANON.

Original Letters of Major Andre: Anecdotes concerning him, etc.-Permit me to add something to the stock which your correspondent SERVIENS has collected towards his biography of the unfortunate Major André.

a

A friend lately procured for me an inspection of four original letters of Major André, written in 1776, whilst he was prisoner at Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. They are in the possession of Herman Cope, Esq., of this city (Philadelphia), to whose grandfather they were written. It seems that after André was captured by General Montgomery, at Champlain, he was sent as a prisoner to Lancaster in Pennsylvania. Whilst there, he contracted a friendship with Caleb Cope, a member of the Society of Friends, and, in consequence of his professions, a non-combatant in the war. John Cope, a son of this gentleman, seems to have had a talent for drawing, and André gladly assisted and instructed him. After André was removed to Carlisle, the correspondence was in reference to this boy and his studies. The letters

show a kind interest in the young artist; and the reference in the first letter to his endeavours to procure a boarding-house for him, which would keep him away from the officers' mess, shows a regard for his morals and the religious feelings of his father. The request in the fourth letter that the boy would commit the name and friendship of André for him to his memory, has, in reference to the subsequent fate of the writer, a touching interest. Without farther remark, I send verbatim copies of the letters referred to, in which I have strictly followed spelling and punctuation.

Sir,

LETTER I.

You wou'd have heard from me ere this Time had I not wish'd to be able to give you some encouragement to send my young Friend John to Carlisle. My desire was to find a Lodging where I cou'd have him with me, and some quiet honest family of Friends or others where he might have boarded, as it wou'd not have been so proper for him to live with a Mess of Officers. I have been able to find neither and am myself still in a Tavern. The people here

are no more willing to harbour us, than
those of Lancaster were at our first coming
there. If however you can resolve to let
him come here, I believe Mr. Despard and
I can make him up a bed in a Lodging we
have in view, where there will be room
enough. He will be the greatest part of
the day with us employ'd in the few things
I am able to instruct him in. In the mean-
while I may get better acquainted with the
Town and provide for his board.
With re-
gard to Expence this is to be attended with
none to you. A little assiduity and friend-
ship is all I ask in my young friend in return
for my good will to be of service to him in
a way of improving the Talents Nature hath
given him. I shall give all my attention to
his morals and as I believe him well dispos'd
I trust he will acquire no bad habits here.
Mr. Despard joins with me in compliments
to yourself, Mrs. Cope and family.
1 am Sir

Your most humble servant,
JOHN ANDRE.

Carlisle, the 3d April, 1776.
Superscription," Mr. Caleb Cope, Lan-

caster."

Dear Sir,

LETTER II.

I am much oblig'd to you for your kind Letter and to your son for his drawings. He is greatly improv'd since I left Lancaster, and I do not doubt but if he continues his application he will make a very great progress. I cannot regret that you did not send your son hither: We have been submitted to alarms and jealousys which wou'd have render'd his stay here very disagreeable to him and I wou'd not willingly see any person suffer on our account; with regard to your apprehensions in consequence of the escape of the Lebanon gentlemen, they were groundless, as we have been on parole ever since our arrival at this place which I can assure you they were not. I shou'd more than once have written to you had opportunitys presented themselves, but the post and we seem to have fallen out, for we can never by that channel either receive or forward a line on the most indifferent subjects. Mr. Despard is very well and desires to be remembered to yourself and family.

I beg you wou'd give my most friendly compliments to your Family and particularly to your son my disciple, to whom I hope the future posture of affairs will give me an opportunity of pointing out the way to proficiency in his favorite study, which may tend so much to his pleasure and advantage. Let him go on copying whatever good models he can meet with and never suffer himself to neglect the proportions and never to think of finishing his work, or imitating the fine flowing lines of his copy, till every limb, feature, house, tree or whatever he is drawing, is in its proper place. With a little practice this will be so natural to him, that his Eye will at first sight guide his pencil in the exact distribution of every part of the work. I wish

I have just time to acquaint you that I receiv'd your letter by Mrs. Callender with my young friend's drawings, which persuade mehe is much improv'd, and that he has not been idle. He must take particular care in forming the features in faces, and in copying. hands exactly. He shou'd now and then copy things from the life and then compare the proportions with what points he may have; or what rules he may have remember'd. With respect to his shading with Indian Ink, the anatomical figure is tolerably well done, but he wou'd find his work shades on more gradually, not blackening smoother and softer, were he to lay the the darkest at once but by washing them over repeatedly, and never till the paper is quite dry. The figure is very well drawn.

Capt. Campbell who is the bearer of this Letter will probably when at Lancaster be able to judge what likelyhood there is of an Exchange of prisoners which we are told is to take place immediately; if this shou'd be without foundation, I shou'd be very glad to see your son here. Of this you may speak with Capt. Campbell, and if you shou'd determine upon it, let me know it a few days beforehand when I shall take care to settle matters for his reception. I am Dear Sir

Your most humble servt.
J. ANDRE.

Carlisle, the 11th Oct. 1776.